Georgia's Historic Heartland Fishing Lakes

Discover Georgia's Historic Heartland Travel Region Small Fishing Lakes - Refresh yourself and stay cool by visiting a GA lake. Many offer fun activities including fishing, swimming, boating, camping and nature hiking! Activities, contact info and locations are listed. Some lakes are public and others are individually owned. Fishing license is required. Some restrictions apply. Please call them for more info. Stay and Play in GA!

Videos of places and things to do in Georgia

Barnesville Reservoir in Lamar County
Size: 160 acres Fish: Bass, bream and channel catfish
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp
Fee: Yearly permits Open: All year
Restrictions: Yearly permits must be purchased to fish in this lake. A yearly fee is also charged to use private boats. Boaters are limited to electric motors only.
Contact Information
Owner: City of Barnesville Phone: 770-358-0181
Address: 109 Forsyth Street, Barnesville, Georgia 30204
Directions: Off Hwy 36 in Barnesville

Black Shoals Lake - Reservoir in Conyers, Georgia
Size: 650 acres Fish: Largemouth bass, bream, channnel cat, crappie
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp, boat dock, picnic area and pavilion, restrooms
Fee: Entry and boat launch fees Open: Hours vary seasonally, call for details
Restrictions: Electric motors only, 16 foot maximum length for motorized boats, no gas motors allowed on lake. No walking on trails or swimming.
Contact Information
Owner: Rockdale County Phone: 770-761-1611
Address: 1329 Suite J Portman Drive Conyers Georgia 30094
Directions: Located north of Conyers on GA Hwy 20, turn right on Bethal Rd and then left on Black Shoals Rd

Chapman Lake in Clarke County
Size: 260 acres Fish: Bass, bream, catfish and crappie
Lake Facilities: Rental canoes, refreshments, primitive camping. Lake Chapman Trail follows the lakeshore in Sandy Creek Park throughout most of the journey, circling arms of the lake deep into wooded coves on two occasions. It is a popular fishing lake and migratory waterfowl are common in spring and fall. The park offers rental canoes and refreshments; bait and tackle may be obtained near by. Wilderness camping is also available.
Fee: No special fees Open:The park is open each day, except Wednesday, during the spring and summer months. From October through March it is open from Thursday through Sunday. The hours of operation vary with time of the year.
Restrictions: Private boats with electric motors only are permitted.
Directions: In Sandy Creek Park, 3 miles north of Athens off U.S. Hwy 441

Hard Labor Creek State Park Lakes in Morgan County
Size: 2 lakes - Lake Rutledge is 275 acres, Lake Brantley is 45acres
Fish: Bass, bream and catfish
Lake Facilities: 18 holes golf, boat, paddle boat rentals, horseback riding, trails, swimming, beach, picnic shelters, group shelters, cabins
Fee: $5 parking fee and fishing fee Open: All year from 7 am to 10 pm (for bank fishing)
Restrictions: 10 hp motor restriction. The lake is open Tue through Sun
Contact Information
Owner: Hard Labor Creek State Park, Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 706-557-3001 Address: P. O. Box 247 Rutledge, Georgia 30663
Directions: Off Fairplay Road 2 miles north of Rutledge

High Falls State Park Lake in Monroe County
Size: 650 acres
Fish: Bass, bream, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, hybrid striped bass and white bass
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp, rental boats, camping, picnic tables, swimming pool
Fee: $5 parking fee Open: All year, 7 am until dark
Restrictions: 10 hp motor restriction
Contact Information
Owner: High Falls State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 912-994-5080 Address: 76 High falls Park Drive Jackson, Georgia 30233
Directions: 10 miles north of Forsyth on east side of I-75 (Exit 65) on County Road 277

Indian Springs State Park Lake in Butts County
Size: 105 acres Fish: The species of fish found in this lake are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp, boat rental, camping, picnic tables, swimming, pet friendly cottages and other activities. It's the 'Oldest State Park' in the Nation! Both boat and bank access are available and boats are available for rent.
Fee: $5 parking fee Open: The lake is open year round during daylight hours.
Restrictions: There is a maximum 10 hp restriction on outboard motors used on the lake. Camping, picnicing, swimming and other activities are available.
Contact Information
Owner: Indian Springs State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 770-504-2277 Address: 678 Lake Clark Road Flovilla, Georgia 30216
Directions: 4 miles southeast of Jackson on Ga. Hwy 42 at Indian Springs

Lake Varner Reservoir in Newton County
Size: 800 acres Fish: Bass, bream, channel catfish and crappie
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp, picnic tables, restrooms, accessible to persons with disabilities
Fee: $5 parking fee, $5 boat ramp fee waived for Newton and Walton County vehicles
Open: All year, 7am to 7 pm during sumer (EDT), 7 am to 6 pm during winter (EST)
Contact Information
Owner: Newton County Phone: 770-784-2049
Address: 11905 Alcovy Road, Covington, Georgia 30014
Directions: 2 miles north of Covington on Alcovy Road
Restrictions: There is no swimming or camping, and boats may use electric motors only.

No alcoholic beverages of any kind allowed.

The boats shall be powered by electric motors or paddles only. No boat with a gasoline engine mounted on the transom is allowed on the reservoir.

All individuals that are fishing must comply with the State of Georgia Department of NaturalResources fishing rules and regulations, creel limits, safety, licenses, etc., and 12 minimum on bass.

The use of a set hook, trout line, seine or fish basket is prohibited.

Access to the reservoir shall be made only at the entrance gate.

Those individuals who elect to fish from the bank must fish from within the marked boundaries.

Wading, swimming, or bathing is prohibited.

The use of trail bikes, mini bikes, go carts, and motorcycles not equipped for street use is prohibited.

Operation or use of any audio or noise producing device, motorized equipment, or vehicles in such a manner to unreasonably annoy or endanger other person is prohibited.

Individuals shall not discharge any gray water or waste matter on the site and shall keep their trash and litter self contained and disposed of properly.

Firearms; ammunition, bows and arrows, loaded projectile firing devices and explosives are prohibited.

Destruction, injury defacement, or removal of Reservoir property is prohibited.

Individuals may be required to show proper identification upon request by an authorized representative of the Reservoir and/or the Department of Natural Resources.

Once boaters cast off from the recreation area they are to stay in boats except in emergency situations.

All pets must be restrained by owners (leash law enforced in area).

Failure to abide by the regulations will result in expulsion from the recreation area.

Marben Public Fishing Area in Jasper County
Size: 20 lakes; biggest are 100, 70, 40, and 20 acres Fish: Bass, bream and channel catfish
Lake Facilities: Restrooms, boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, accessible to persons with disabilities
Fee: Anglers 16 or older must have: a state fishing license plus WMA stamp; honorary fishing license; or one day fishing license Open: All year from sunrise to sunset
Restrictions: Sign in and check information board before fishing
Contact Information
Owner: Wildlife Resources Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources
Phone: 770-784-3063 Address: 543 Elliott Trail Mansfield, Georgia 30055
Directions: 2.5 miles south of Mansfield on Hwy 11

Rock Eagle Lake in Putnam County
Size: 110 acres Fish: Bass, bream and catfish
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp
Fee: No special fees Open: All year; sunrise to sunset
Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only, can launch with gas motors but not operate, permits located at boat dock. No fishing at night. Appropriate fishing permits and licenses are required. Must have life jackets for everyone on boat.
Contact Information
Owner: University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service
Phone: 706-484-2800 Address: 350 Rock Eagle Road, Eatonton Georgia 31024
Directions: 10 miles north of Eatonton at Rock Eagle 4-H Center on U.S. Hwy 441

Turner Lake is a great place for fishing, hiking and walking. Amenities: Parking, Public Restrooms, Accessibility for mobility-impaired.
Phone: 706-786-4373 Address: 6185 Turner Lake Rd, Covington, Georgia 30014